Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1887-04-21
WENT TO THE CIRCUS.


WENT TO THE CIRCUS.
The Educated Pig Was the Means of
Bringing Two Eager Children to q Great
Exhibition.
Oscar and Fanny Hatton leaned
over the little garden-gate in the front
of their mothers cottage one June day,
in an ecstasy of delight. as, one after
the other. Hoop & Co.'s gaily-painted
circus wagons rolled slowly by on their
way to the market town of Scottsboro.
three miles distant where an exhibi-
ton was to be given.
Neither of the children had ever be-
fore seen circus wagons, and every
thing wore the wonderful charm of
novelty.
what lovely picturesr' cried Fan
ny. They're nicer than any in that
book mother gave me last Christina"
"It must be grand to belong to cir
GUS" said Oscar, who was three years
older than Fanny. ''How I'd like to
drive that wagon with the lion on it!''
But perhaps there is Iona real.
live one-lnside, too, and he might get
out" suggested Fanny.
..rd risk it, replied Oscar, with a
boys carelessness of danger ooh,
Fanny, look, look" as half dozen
little Shetland ponies came in sight,
followed by several elephants. 'fThis
makes me wish more than ever to go
to the exhibition
"Wen, we can't go, and so there's no
use wishing" said Fanny, philosophic-
ally. "Let's pick the peas, and then
go down to the brook and wade.
That'n be fun.''
mot as much fun as going to the
circus" rejoined Oscar, and he sighed
as he watched the last wagon disap-
pear around bend in the road.
1t seemed hard that he should be
denied so great pleasure for the want
of only fifty cents, He hoped that
when he grew to be man, he would
have money enough to go to a circus
every day in the week, if he so desired.
The peas were soon picked, some pota-
toes dug, andn bucket of water drawn
from the well, and then the children
were at liberty to go to the brook,
which was in aneighbor's pasture. half
a mile away.
Fanny had thrown off her sunbonnet,
and Oscar his hat, and they were hav-
ing fine time splashing in the clear,
limpid water, when suddenly they
were startled by the sound of = loud
grunt, and, looking up. saw fine
spotted pig standing only few feet
from them.
"Gracious. how he scared met" said
Fanny. "Where did he come from, /
wonderP never saw him before"
'.In drive him away" And Oscar
Jumped from the brook and seized a
stout stick. '.Next thing we know,
he'll be splashing in the water with
us.'
But the pig did not seem at all afraid
of the stick. Instead Of taking to his
heels when threatened with it, ne
raised himself slowly on his hind legs,
and, sitting down, bowed to Oscar
with an air of profound respect.
''Well, never saw any thing like
that before!'' exclaimed the aston
ished boy, while Fanny was too much
surprised to speak at all.
The pig remained in an upright po-
sition for few minutes, and then de-
scending slowly to al1-fours again,
looked up at Oscar, as if in expecta-
ton of some order.
Oscar raised the stick again, and the
pig Immediately stood on his head.
This beats everything I ever saw"
said the boy. "This pig must certainly
be crazy"
Lets run home and tell MOTHER
suggested Fanny. She'll know what
to do; and TIM so afraid!'
..Afraid of whatP'' asked a voice,
and Tony Grim, the son of neighbor,
came splashing across the brook.
Afraid of strange pig! Well, you are
a credit to the country"
s.But this is such queer pig. He
acts so funny" explained Fanny.
you'll be afraid of him yourself,
Tony, when you see how he can bow
and stand on his head.
..Does he do thatp Then I shouldn't
wonder a bit if he is the educated pig
belonging to the circus. / noticed that
the last wagon that went by this morn
ing had spotted animal of the kind
on it. I'll bet he's got out some way
without nobody seeing him. Let's see
if he'll jump over stick.
He held out stick as he spoke, and
the pig went over it at once.
Like as not he does fifty other
tricks said Tony. ''only ! don't know
what they are. But this is Hoop &
Co. s educated pig, as sure as fate"
They'll think he's lost, (" said Oscar.
..Of course they will, and they're
certain to offer big reward He's a
great card, and worth mint of money
to 'em. You drive him home, and shut
him up, and wait till they advertise for
him. only wish I'd found him. !"
s.But dom think it would be right
to shut him up. now we know where
he belongs" said Oscar. I'VE ought
to take him back.
THAT soould be silly. Why. you
wouldn't get cent !"
anyhow, we ought to do it, = per-
sisted Oscar, who, though only eleven
years old, could be very firm on occa-
sion. Hell be wanted to perform
this afternoon. and the circus people